December Meeting Minutes

6:30pm | Preservation Station | Bonnie Anderson presiding | Prepared by Secretary Howard Dobin

APD Report

There were no APD representatives in attendance.

Central Pedestrian Overpass & Travel Center Security

Howard read from a Terry Brunner email which confirmed Kevin Hillskemper's observations from the November meeting that the Central pedestrian overpass is delayed due to the input of up to 5 separate agencies to relocate utilities, etc. Howard also relayed that Terry reconfirmed the completion date as the end of 2025, but Howard, Kevin and others have heard from sources that 2027 is more likely. Alvarado Transit Security has officers patrolling when the RailRunner arrives and departs. They believe that the lighting is sufficient, but if that's not the case, we should let Terry know.

City Owned Arno Garage

Kevin and Howard hope to finalize a flyer soon. It will be posted inside the garage and on the campus of the Albuquerque High Lofts.

701 Coal Project

Santiago Aceves has made a formal offer to Star Paving for the neighboring lot which he plans to use for landscaping to supplement the larger project.

Holiday Hijinks 2024

The event will be at the Albuquerque Press Club on Saturday December 14th from 5:00-7:00pm. The silent auction website goes live on December 5th. Along with many art pieces by local artists, there will be a fine china, fashion items and many other items. Bruce Redford confirmed that the silent auction will end at 6:15 PM sharp. There is no need to attend the event to bid or win, but if you wish to view or handle items, such as trying on fashion pieces, arrive early to allow for time. Krista Smith will be announcing the event on our social media platforms. Our event is catered by the Artichoke Café. Those in attendance expressed their gratitude to Fiona Cooke and Bruce.

HHHDA Social Media

Krista and Nick have established a new Facebook page. They are looking for followers and have sent out information to followers of the old page. To join the new page, please use this link: https://www.facebook.com/share/15iqQ4K1Dv/?mibextid=LQQJ4d

501(c)4 Status

Salley Trefethen reported that there are practical difficulties as a result of not having a 501(c) non-profit status, such as changing or updating signatories on accounts without an EIN for the organization. A motion was made to pay Rogers CPA, a local accounting firm, to file the proper paperwork to establish our organization as a 501(c)4 social organization (as opposed to a 501(c)3 charitable organization). 501(c)4 status better fits our association, and the annual paperwork is minimal when compared to a 501(c)3. Elijah Esquival volunteered to file the annual forms. The motion carried unanimously.

I-25 "S" Curve

Many neighborhood members attended the December 3rd revisions presentation by the firm working on the "S" Curve proposal. Moises Gonzalez reported that of the 21 people to speak at the meeting, 19 were opposed to their revisions and advocated for an enhanced no-build option which would include necessary infrastructure improvements, such as repairs to overpasses and bridges, noise walls and safer crossings for cyclists and pedestrians. Both currently considered options move the highway east onto APS properties. There was a feeling among those in attendance that there is no stopping this project.

Evidence from previous highway expansions demonstrates that this “speed up” will encourage more traffic and will result in more accidents at even higher speeds, which translates into more injuries and more deaths. The widening of the frontage roads will put pedestrians and cyclists in even more danger. The contracted planners excluded pedestrian/cyclist improvements and noise barriers from the “no-build” option without explanation.

Quentin Smith pointed out that the primary goals given to the planners were to foster speed and more car pass-through with less crashes being a secondary goal. The planners will not entertain a “no-build” since it does not address their primary goals. Carlos Michelen felt we should address NM DOT and our elected representatives. David Cooke believes that these presentations are lip-service with no nuance. Bob Elwood pointed out that one option would close the southbound ramp from Coal and replace it with a Texas Turnaround. Carlos and Quentin will examine the funding, find out who is best to contact to reassess the project goals, and draft a letter from HHHDA.

Good Neighbor Award

Howard nominated Bob Elwood for our Good Neighbor Award based upon his efforts to maintain and improve our neighborhood. This includes his work on the I-25 "S" Curve, reworking Tour II of our Jane's Walk and other labors to improve our neighborhood. Bob accepted the award.

401 Walter SE

Nick Nuccio, the owner of the vacant property at 401 Walter SE, is considering turning the vacant corner property into a small food market or bodega, a coffee shop, or possibly three homes of about 1400 sq ft each (this would require a zoning change to the lot). Since he has no grocery expertise, Nick is hopeful of finding someone experienced to start a market or expand to this location. Bonnie pointed out that Santiago Aceves asked for similar input at the November meeting and will likely have the same issues, such as parking.

Immanuel Lutheran Holiday performance

Elijah related that the school is looking for 2-3 homes in the 100-300 SE blocks of our neighborhood to volunteer for the students to perform.